Council approves amendment increasing municipal reimbursement for Rolling Prairie Phase 1

The Portage City Common Council on a unanimous vote approved a third amendment to the Phase 1 developer agreement for the Rolling Prairie subdivision that raises the municipal revenue obligation to cover an unplanned antenna installation and extends the developer’s completion timeline.

The amendment increases the municipal revenue obligation (MRO) by $18,958 and adjusts the MRO total from $2,315,356.57 to $2,334,314.57, according to city staff. The council also approved a revised completion date tied to remaining punch-list and demolition work, with staff saying most construction will be complete by March 1, 2025.

City staff and the developer told the council the extra cost resulted from a site-signal incompatibility requiring a new antenna pole and concrete pad for the SCADA system rather than reuse of the existing antenna. “Those additional costs associated with this new antenna were roughly $18,958, which is what they’re looking to extend their or increase their MRO,” said Mr. Livingston, the city presenter on the item.

The agreement record shows the Phase 1 work originally included a MRO established in 2022; subsequent amendments in 2023 increased reimbursements for additional lift-station components and parkland reimbursements. Staff reported the developer’s work is guaranteed by a letter of credit sized at 25% of the overall construction cost and that outstanding items are punch-list or demolition work covered under the warranty period, which extends through March 2026.

Council members asked about the likelihood of further amendments and staff said they expect this to be the final amendment for Phase 1. Alderson Green moved to approve the amendment and Alderson Wetzel seconded; the motion passed on a roll call with all voting aye.

The amendment preserves the city’s existing enforcement tools: the letter of credit and warranty period remain in place to ensure completion of remaining work. Staff noted the remaining asphalt patches on Badger Way and the final demolition of the Gunderson Drive lift station are expected to be finished alongside Phase 2 work.

The council’s approval authorizes staff to finalize the amendment documents and continue the municipal reimbursement process under the revised MRO amount and schedule.

The Rolling Prairie Phase 1 developer agreement remains subject to the city’s existing inspection and warranty processes; staff will return if additional substantive changes are requested by the developer.